Topline
The death toll in the Maui wildfires increased to 80 on Saturday, according to county officials, as thousands of people continue to stay in emergency shelters following days of destructive fires.
Thousands of structures have been destroyed in the historic town of Lahaina. (Photo by Patrick T. … [+]
Key Facts
The 80 confirmed deaths mark a considerable jump from the 67 fatalities reported Friday, when Hawaii Gov. Josh Green (D) said that “without a doubt there will be more fatalities.”
Law enforcement has barricaded the burned historic town of Lahaina, which Maui County officials say contains toxic particles from scorched areas.
Residents have been issued an unsafe water alert advising them to not use tap water for drinking or cooking until further notice, citing harmful contaminants that may have entered the water system.
In Lahaina, more than 2,200 structures have been destroyed or damaged, according to county officials.
Hawaii’s Department of Transport said on Twitter, now known as X, that the Kaanapali fire, one of several that have raged on the island, was 100% contained by Friday evening, but other fires in Lahaina, Pulehu and Upcountry Maui were still being contained as of Saturday morning.
Big Number
Nearly $6 billion. That’s the estimated cost to rebuild after the destruction experienced in Lahaina and Kula, according to the Pacific Disaster Center and Federal Emergency Management Agency.
What To Watch For
Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez plans to conduct a “comprehensive review of critical decision-making and standing policies” before, during and after the wildfires, according to a statement.
Key Background
The blazes, which are the deadliest in Hawaii’s history, have burned more than 2,500 acres in Lahaina and Kula, with a majority of the destruction impacting residential buildings. Experts have pointed to a mixture of flammable shrubs and grasses, dry conditions and hurricane winds as the cause of the fires. More than 80% of Hawaii is considered abnormally dry, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s U.S. Drought Monitor. Several historic structures in Lahaina, the former capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom, have been destroyed, including the oldest house in Maui, the official church of the Hawaiian royal family and the Lahaina Heritage Museum. President Joe Biden called the fires in Hawaii a “major disaster” earlier this week and ordered federal aid in the form of grants for temporary and home repairs, in addition to other recovery programs.
Further Reading
What’s Causing Hawaii’s Deadly Wildfires—Experts Point To Flammable Grasses, Drought And Hurricane Winds (Forbes)
Hawaii Wildfires: At Least 67 Dead And Some Of Island’s Oldest Landmarks Destroyed (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2023/08/12/hawaii-wildfires-80-confirmed-dead-in-states-deadliest-natural-disaster-in-history/